Police Still Looking for Driver in Deadly Sarasota Hit-and-Run Accident

Posted on Mar 22, 2012

On Saturday, March 3, 2012, a deadly hit-and-run accident in Sarasota occurred. Police indicate that the accident involved a sport utility vehicle (SUV) and a male pedestrian, and that the incident took place on the 1800 block of Debbie Street, near Vamo Road, around 9:30 p.m.

Police responded to a call regarding a person being hit by a car during a disturbance, and found 33-year-old Joseph J. D’ambrosio, a resident of 1974 Debbie Street, seriously injured. Police stated that he was flown by helicopter to Blake Memorial Hospital after suffering serious injuries in the crash. Unfortunately, he died from his injuries just a short time after arriving at the hospital.

Sarasota County sheriff’s deputies determined they were looking for an SUV that fled the scene, after witnesses told investigators that the car involved in this fatal accident was a small SUV that had several Hispanic and black men inside it. They indicated that the SUV was a white, four-door Ford Explorer with tinted windows.

After collecting evidence and talking to witnesses, the police released more information on the Ford Explorer they were looking for. The SUV details the Florida Highway Patrol released is that they are looking for a 2002 Ford Explorer with Florida tags SBU975. Police are still investigating this hit-and-run crash to determine whether or not the accident was intentional.

As of this time, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s detectives are still looking for the vehicle that was involved in this hit-and-run accident, and ask for anyone with information to call (941) 861-4900 or Crime Stoppers at (941) 366-8477.